I have a 1998 VT1100C3. The battery continues to discharge when the bike is running. I replaces the starter solenoid, it kept blowing fuses. I was told the stator could be bad. I am only getting 11.5 - 11.62volts at the battery running or stopped. Voltage regulator maybe??? am lost, please advise Thanks

Hi Clay:
Some possibles:
- switch contacts fused causing continual current.
- Solenoid contacts fused causing continual current.
MAKING ME WORRIED:
- Starters anre not intended to run continuously until the battery is dead.
- ???????????? Did the engine start but the starter continue turning?
- I'd be disconnecting the battery and charging it, then disconnecting the starter and checking EVERYTHING on that circuit to avoid cooking components.

the only fuse that controls the starter is mounted to the side of the starter solenoid under the seat. Trace the red cable from the battery and it will lead you directly to it. the fuse should be under a cover where the battery connects to the solenoid. solenoid should look something like this

amp meter across the fuse connections to check the amp load

starter cog jamming on spline take out starter motor disconnect cog and lubricate .

Check the main fuse on the starter solenoid. If it blows everything just shuts down. Follow the positive battery cable from the battery to the starter solenoid and replace the fuse. If that does not fix the problem remove the battery and have it load tested. A simple way to test for a broken cell in a battery (if you do not have a load tester) just jump the two starter solenoid terminals with a piece of wire or a screw driver, if there is not enough power to move the starter you may have a broken connection between the cells in the battery. Then you just need a new battery. My bet is you just need to replace the main fuse.

Most bikes are built with this setup....
the positive battery post has 2 cables....one goes directly to one side of the starter solenoid relay, the other goes to the main fuse for the bike. With the key on, when you press the starter button it completes the circuit for the relay coil, which closes the heavy contacts of the solenoid and puts power to the starter motor.
This design allows the starter button to be constructed with smaller wires as they only operate the coil, not carry all the heavy current to spin the starter.
It sounds like your starter solenoid contacts are stuck closed so power is getting through at all times.
Sometimes with battery unhooked you can tap the solenoid and free the contacts....and it may work, however its probably time to replace the starter solenoid relay.

I'm assuming that you put the 12 volts directly to the connector on the starter solenoid.

To answer your question, there is a starter relay. It's a one inch plastic cube type device usually located under the seat but I can't say for sure. Seems since 2000, Harley moves stuff around every year now and I can't keep up with them.

You starter has no fuse in the line. The cables that run your starter motor come directly from the battery. Only the starter CONTROL circuitry has a fuse. The wires running from your starter switch to the starter relay, to the starter solenoid are the control wires. Now, you solenoid may be pulling too much current and causing the fuse to blow. I'd rule out everything else before I'd consider the solenoid. The only way to change that is a new starter and they aren't cheap.

Good luck
steve

replace the starter solenoid, and lubricate the starter linkage.

The fuse on the starter solenoid is the main fuse for the bike. If that fuse was removed and replaced with a wire, you could melt down the entire harness or even burn up the cycle. The short that was popping the fuse has probably melted part of the harness or popped fuses in another part of the bike. Start checking in the main fuse box in the fake tank for shorts. Also check the solenoid with the main fuse for melt down, good luck.